After a month of rumors swirling about missing racer payments and financial problems, the ADRL’s situation has come to a head over the last week. In the span of the last six days, the ADRL has been called out in a YouTube video by drag race promoter Donald “Duck” Long, has issued a statement regarding the payments that it has yet to issue to racers for its “Battle of the Belts” and its October event, been attacked in a counter statement from Al-Anabi Racing America, and then ADRL leader Kenny Nowling made an aggressive and strongly worded post on Facebook claiming that the Al-Anabi organization is a bully and that the only way to deal with a bully is to “hit them in the mouth”.
There have been rumblings about bounced checks, missing checks, and lack of racer payment since the ADRL World Finals in October. In his statement released two days ago, Nowling claims that he was assured that the money to cover the purse was to be sent to him shortly after that event by a “sponsor” and that the promised payment had never been made. He also claims that the event was the first one he had ever held where he knew going in that there wasn’t enough cash in the bank to cover the payments due to racers. While Al-Anabi was never specifically named, it wasn’t to hard to figure out who Nowling was claiming had stiffed him.
The Al-Anabi statement which was released on Thankgiving night refutes all of Nowlings claims from his earlier remarks. Essentially, Al-Anabi says that they sent the ADRL over half a million dollars through the course of 2013 and $380,000 of it was sent in September, only a month before the Texas race that Nowling claims that he did not have the money for. The statement was signed Donald Greenbaum the CEO of Al-Anabi Racing USA. It took only hours for Nowling to personally respond to this statement on Facebook saying the following:
The ADRL will be issuing a follow up response to Mr. Greenbaum’s BULLSHIT in the coming days! I have done EVERYTHING to stay professional regarding Al-Anabi over the past THREE YEARS and will NOT keep quiet any longer! There is only one way to handle a bully, HIT THEM IN THE MOUTH! I have a responsibility to EVERY RACER, TEAM OWNER, SPONSOR and FAN who has ever supported the ADRL to TELL THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP ME GOD! I have every communication, text message and witnesses to SEVERAL conversations that will prove to the world that Mr. Greenbaum and the people he represents are liars! The ADRL and my family are NOT the only people who have been lied to. Hopefully some of them will locate their guts like I have today and come forward! Either way I will fight to protect the ADRL and my family until the day I die!
God bless,
Kenny Nowling
[divider]
To see the events that have lead up to what can only be described as the most high stakes and public sponsor/money fight in drag racing history, we’ll present the events below.
FIRST, HERE IS THE VIDEO THAT DONALD LONG PRODUCED CALLING OUT THE ADRL FOR THEIR LACK OF RACER PAYMENT. BEWARE: LOTS OF SWEARING AND “BAD WORDS” IF THIS OFFENSIVE TO YOU, DO NOT WATCH. THE FIRST TWO MINUTES ARE A PROMOTION FOR HIS UPCOMING FEBRUARY RACE AND THE REST IS OF LONG CALLING OUT THE ADRL –
FOLLOWING THAT VIDEO, THE ADRL AND KENNY NOWLING RELEASED THIS STATEMENT:
I think by now most everyone that follows the ADRL is aware that a significant issue has arisen regarding the payout of the 2013 ADRL Battle for the Belts. I want to be clear before proceeding that I take full responsibility for the current situation that is facing us. I also want to assure everyone who participated in the 2013 Battle for the Belts that they will receive one hundred percent of what they are owed.
I have been involved in promoting drag racing since 2002 and prior to Friday, September 6, 2013 had never advertised or held a race that I did not have the monies to cover. During those twelve years I have raised and paid out several million dollars to racers. As proud as I am of that, I am equally ashamed of what transpired on September 6. Regardless of what promises were made by our sponsor leading up to September 6, I should have cancelled the event. I spoke with our sponsor at the event on that day and was given instructions to not cancel the event and was repeatedly assured that we would receive one hundred percent of the prize monies immediately. Holding that event was simply the biggest mistake of my career.
The second biggest mistake was made on September 27. On that date we were partially paid and we subsequently paid some of the Battle for the Belts competitors. The fact is no one should have been paid until everyone could be paid. It is important to note that I was told that the remaining money would be paid soon thereafter and, based on what we received, was confident that was indeed the case. Regardless, I should have waited and for that I am sorry.
I want to publicly apologize to every ADRL racer, team owner, crew member, sponsor, track partner and fan who has suffered as a result of my grievous lack of judgment. Talk is cheap as they say and all I can do at this point is make things right. With the exception of the remaining Battle for the Belts payout, all remaining 2013 prize monies will be paid prior to the beginning of 2013 PRI show on December 11. As for the remaining Battle for the Belts payout, we are working diligently to secure the funds and have made significant progress in the last several days. Once the full remaining amount is procured, we will issue payment to everyone who is still owed immediately. Anyone who is currently owed for the 2013 Battle for the Belts can contact me directly via email at [email protected] or by calling 855-660-2375 to keep updated on our progress. Thank you for your continued support and Happy Thanksgiving.
FOLLOWING THAT STATEMENT, THE ADRL RELEASED THIS STATEMENT ON THANKSGIVING NIGHT –
In response to the open letter sent out by ADRL president Kenny Nowling this week, Al-Anabi Racing USA, LLC CEO Donald Greenbaum issued a response. Read below:
On November 27th, 2013, American Drag Racing League (ADRL) president Kenny Nowling issued an open letter to the public stating that he had only been partially paid by the sponsor of the Battle For the Belts.
In September 2013, $380,000 was wired to Mr. Nowling to pay the ADRL Battle For the Belts purse to non Al‐Anabi owned race teams. The Al‐Anabi Racing teams were paid directly by Al‐Anabi Racing the sum they were owed by the ADRL. The total of these two payments amounted to $500,000.
Earlier in 2013, the ADRL received from Al‐Anabi other payments totaling $280,000 to support the ADRL championship purse and the newly announced Pro Drag Radial class.
No one has supported the ADRL and doorslammer drag racing more than Al‐Anabi Racing and it is outrageous for Mr. Nowling to blame others for his failure to distribute his sponsor’s money after he received it.
We would rather not be involved in a public discussion of the matter, but the events of this week leave us no choice. We now leave it up to Mr. Nowling to show the racing community how the distribution of the $380,000 he received in September was handled. Only he has the canceled checks.
Sincerely,
Donald R. Greenbaum
Chief Executive Officer
Al-Anabi Racing USA, LLC
NOWLING THEN FOLLOWED THIS STATEMENT UP WITH THE FOLLOWING FACEBOOK POST –
The ADRL will be issuing a follow up response to Mr. Greenbaum’s BULLSHIT in the coming days! I have done EVERYTHING to stay professional regarding Al-Anabi over the past THREE YEARS and will NOT keep quiet any longer! There is only one way to handle a bully, HIT THEM IN THE MOUTH! I have a responsibility to EVERY RACER, TEAM OWNER, SPONSOR and FAN who has ever supported the ADRL to TELL THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP ME GOD! I have every communication, text message and witnesses to SEVERAL conversations that will prove to the world that Mr. Greenbaum and the people he represents are liars! The ADRL and my family are NOT the only people who have been lied to. Hopefully some of them will locate their guts like I have today and come forward! Either way I will fight to protect the ADRL and my family until the day I die!
God bless,
Kenny Nowling
[divider]
Rumors are now surfacing that at least one Al-Anabi team was not paid by the organization, countering the claim in their statement that all of its racers were paid by the team. Where is the truth? Who has the money? Is there any more money coming? Will there be a 2014 ADRL season next year? Will racers start to break their silence regarding missing or non-cleared ADRL checks? All of these are question we have to wait to see answered. We’ll be waiting on Kenny Nowling’s promised statement as it seems he is ready to start throwing punches in what has thus far been a war of words.
Stay tuned, we’re going to be following this story as it continues to develop.
Well, it started out as the American Drag Racing League… I’m sorry everyone, but it was SO refreshing when I saw the first ADRL race on TV and found out what the organization meant to the drag racing community…
Regardless of who is correct or who is lying the two gentlemen in the video has no business in any form of organized motor sports promoting. These two goon’s are a joke! Brian and Chad I wouldn’t give these two idiot’s any air time or print time on bang shift. They should be embarrased the way they handle their selves this isn’t big time wrestling….Is It? because that’s where these two belong..
Agreed!!!
Have you ever been to one of Ducks races? The Duck pays his racers and puts on awsome events. The Duck is a stand up guy who speaks his mind and if he didn’t no one would show up at his races. Look at his races and how many guy drag their cars from all over the U.S. down to SMGP to race at one of Ducks races.
There are plenty of other promoters who have just as much success and even more than the Duck who don’t have such low standards. Getting involved in something he has no business in getting involved with and using the kind of language he chooses to use is what separates him from the other more successful promoters who have CLASS.
Really who?
Thats why u are part of the problem with why
drag racing was in the shitter…your welcome. Oh
And no u can’t have my coat no matter how much you beg
Don’t know enough about this new war to comment other than to say that is the “ugliest coat” I’ve ever seen.
The TREASURER IS A THIEF,wheres the competition purse funds?. ~$~ Wyrm
Smack in face w/hatchet,_splinter teeth,hang `em w/piano wire under the the Bicepts to underground overhead piping and feed the corpse to your HUMAINE SOCIETY mutts.
Bikers would beat him up,tie him to a chair,knife him,cut off his fingers and shoot him
…_ BRAVO CLUB
The more registered entries the more promising to future here w/circuit, and Larger Pot
1 st. season start up w/NHRA INTERLAKE DRAGWAY Gimli,Lake Winnipeg Manitoba Ca.
Interlake Dragway in Gimli Manitoba is a IHRA track
I don’t know who is iantjorgenson is but I’m the owner if Interlake Dragway and we are a IHRA track not NHRA and I would like you to keep my track out if your opinion please
They’d lit him on Fire before shooting him
The whole professional wrestling angle is really lame. Duck, Ric Flair called, he wants his schtick back. Dude, take that thift store rabbit coat back to Goodwill were you found it.
Please inform us when and where your race is being held. Make sure to have guaranteed purses (regardless of car count or weather )and put on the Greatest show on earth.
Those that CAN’T type shit on forums.
Bottom line is Al Anabi–Kenny seems like a real proffesional by not naming who the “sponser” was until they started their crap. KH is a brat and has too much money and seems to be getting spanked by his family over his spending.That came out a couple of years ago! Why the American industries cant sponser them is a mystery. The NHRA is pretty lame to what the Adrl brings to the table in regards to the cars.I love drag racing and have been involved since 67,its just plain boring and meant for the big money teams that race in it now.
That is why you attend the Yellow Bullet Nats and Donald’s No Mercy and Lights Out races at SGMP in Feb and Sept.
The best events in grass roots racing and racers get PAID !!!!
Perhaps this is slightly naive, but I’m ready for all forms of North American auto racing to return to being gentlemen’s sports. Seems we can’t go more than a year or two without hearing about this kind of drama related to a sanctioning body, a promoter, or a sponsor. Now, where is my mug of warm milk and my slippers?
Well this is for the idiot that has posted that I should not
have said anything. ..REALLY U IDIOT? Racers are screwed
Out of over 500, 000 and im the guy that shouldn’t put on races.
U are exactly what is fucking wrong with this whole deal.
Do urself and everyone else a favor and punch urself in the face
twice for being a fucking idiot….u pussys would stand idle while
racers get fucked over. ..good job…what a tool
Oh really. …no business getting involved…this is my business
and im not having a hack screw racers over…and another thing
if u are out of the loop better to stay there…what about the whole
professional race they were running where they motherfucked me
for hours on the livefeed…..yes the same race that the 500, 000 came up
missing. ….its obvious u idiots should also visit yb where the rest
of the sheep heard up….u are confused individuals with a keyboard.
Oh and p.s. mfers better get use to me because I will still be here
when the rest are gone:):)
While I have to agree to some extent that Duck is a showman- as witnessed by his video’s- that not everyone can appreciate. However, his races are not just races, they are EVENTS! You have to go to one to understand. I hope to be back there in February!
Lots of cars, lots of things to do, and a good time had by all. 🙂 See you at SGMP!
Oh, as for the topic, sucks that racers are not getting paid. Racing is expensive and towing across the country at a shot for big bucks only to get stiffed when you win- not good for the sport at all!
Guys, and gals, hold the phone. Don’t you folks see what is going on here? Have you never watched “Pro-Wrestling” over the years. This is EXACTLY the type of publicity that brings millions of people to watch and attend wrestling. This is the best publicity stunt they could possibly pull off. XDRL is gone…thank goodness…and now ADRL, the current owners, the past owners and all involved are going for broke to bring people back to ADRL. I think they are brilliant and I give them all the credit in the world for the attention they are drawing to themselves. But don’t kid yourselves folks, this is a plan and if it doesn’t work they will pack it up and be gone to do the other stuff they do. Way to go ADRL I will always be a fan. Good luck!
Man, I could really go for an Orange Julius right now….
I admire Nowling because I know his heart is really in it.
I have been to Duck’s events – and they are over the top in performance, competition, attendance by a huge variety of racers, and in general are some of the most interesting shows I have ever seen in traveling the USA to see some of the greatest events ever since 1965. Duck ain’t auditioning for a commentator position on any news network, but he seldom fails to get his point across. The language could be tamed down a ton, but the veracity and focus are there.
I hope the ADRL and Nowling can get it together for another season, but without everyday level racer participation, I just do not see it succeeding.
I truly hope I am wrong, but it looks like a rough row to hoe.
Duck’s two annual events are abnormal successes, but what they promise – they deliver (weather permitting). The cars show up, the fields are fiercely competitive, the fans are pleased, and the marathons that inevitably occur are just a result of the huge reputation these events have generated from past successes.
Donald Long is a true success among a very small group of current race promoters that have the nerve and energy to put it all on the line by even attempting such risky ventures.
I have enormous admiration for someone who defines an ambitious goal and achieves it through personal effort.
What a couple of morons, taking a fifth grade education far as it can go.
Feel sorry for KF , ( the banner behind the two morons ) one of the nicest guys in the racing industry.
What a couple of clowns, taking a fifth grade education far as it can go.
Feel sorry for KF , ( the banner behind the two morons ) one of the nicest guys in the racing industry.